Regulations on bio (in) security in Brazil: the issue of the transgenic food

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the Brazilian legislation on genetically modified organisms - GMOs (or GM). The standards were identified in databases and Sicon LEXML, both available at the Senate. We found 25 standards, mostly written by the executive branch under President Lula. The main topics discussed were planting, monitoring, marketing and labeling of GMOs. It is concluded that the legislative process in Brazil is mostly based on provisional measures which were designed to allow the marketing of GM soy planted illegally in the country until 2003. The Brazilian requirements regarding labeling resemble the European ones, but much still needs to be done to improve strategies for monitoring compliance. Relevant standards in Brazil were not identified by the databases used.

Keywords

• Transgênicos
• Regulamentação
• Segurança alimentar
• Legislação